The Journey to Sobriety: How to Take the First Step and Find Support on Your Way
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve struggled with alcohol at some point in your life.
It’s not easy to admit, but it’s the first step towards getting the support you need to either drink less or quit altogether.
I know that feeling of desperation — of not knowing where to turn because every time you look, there’s more alcohol, more toxicity, and more negativity.
And I know that every person who has gotten sober has felt the same way.
The thought of giving up alcohol can be terrifying. It’s been there for you at your lowest and at your highest.
It might feel like you’re giving up a part of yourself, like you’re losing something that has been with you for most of your life. That’s called alcohol grief.
But every person who has reached sobriety will tell you it was the best decision they ever made for themselves.
Alcohol is a depressant.
It slows down the central nervous system, which can lead to feelings of relaxation and lowered inhibitions.
However, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to negative effects on the body and mind, including impaired cognitive function and an increased risk of depression and anxiety.
By cutting down on or quitting alcohol altogether, you can improve your overall mental and physical health.
For me, getting sober not only improved my physical health (I almost died from liver failure in 2017), but it also improved my relationship with myself and others.
When I was sick and drinking every day, I didn’t realize that alcohol was making everything I was thinking and feeling worse.
I didn’t realize I was causing physical trauma to my body.
If you’re ready to take the first step towards a happy and healthy life, here are three things to focus on:
- Talk to your people. Don’t talk to someone who is just as miserable as you. Instead, talk to people who are doing well, who are succeeding in life, and who want to see you succeed too. Surround yourself with supportive and positive people who can help you on your journey to sobriety.
- Set small goals and take small steps. Going to the gym isn’t going to fix everything. Instead, try going for a walk or clearing your head. Make sure your goals are achievable and don’t set unrealistic expectations — that will only cause anxiety and make you want to drink.
- Celebrate yourself. Nobody knows how difficult this is, and nobody is going to show up with a cake. There are no awards for getting sober. But you should celebrate yourself every chance you get. When you celebrate yourself, you’ll realize you’re becoming your own biggest fan. And every healthy thing you do for yourself will make you want to do one more.
Getting sober is difficult, but staying sober is easier with the right support. Today is the first day of the rest of your life.
And if you need help on your sobriety journey, don’t be afraid to reach out.
There are thousands of us working together inside Beyond Sober, and we’re probably waiting for you.
